State Board OKs tuition hikes, but trims those for BSU, U of I

Idaho's state Board of Education today approved tuition increases for the state's colleges and universities, but trimmed the requests from both the University of Idaho and Boise State University. The U of I was approved for a 5 percent increase, short of the 5.9 percent it requested; and BSU for 6.9 percent, short of the 8.6 percent requested. “The board recognizes the need to balance access and affordability with the ability to maintain quality programs and facilities at our public institutions,” said Board President Ken Edmunds.ISU got its requested 4.5 percent increase; LCSC got its requested 4 percent; and Eastern Idaho Technical College got its requested 4.9 percent. Click below for the state board's full announcement; you can read a full report here from AP reporter Hannah Furfaro. BSU issued a news release about how the increase fits into its plans to shift toward charging tuition on a per-credit basis; you can read it here.

IDAHO STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION

April 17, 2013

BOARD SETS TUITION AND FEES

FOR PUBLIC HIGHER EDUCATION

(Moscow). The Idaho State Board of Education today approved tuition and fee increases for the state’s public universities and colleges.

Below are the tuition/fee rates that will be in effect for the 2013-2014 academic year, which starts in the fall 2013:

Institution

Current tuition/fee charged (annual)

% increase requested

$ increase amount requested

Approved tuition/fee for 2013-2014 (annual)

% increase approved

Total $ increase per student (annually)

University of Idaho

$6,212

5.9%

$368

$6,524

5.0%

$312

Idaho State University

$6,070

4.5%

$274

$6,344

4.5%

$274

Boise State University

$5,884

8.6%

$508

$6,290

6.9%

$406

Lewis-Clark State College

$5,562

4.0%

$222

$5,784

4.0%

$222

Eastern Idaho Technical College

$2,022

4.9%

$100

$2,122

4.9%

$100

“The Board recognizes the need to balance access and affordability with the ability to maintain quality programs and facilities at our public institutions,” said Board President Ken Edmunds. “Although this year’s legislature increased funding for public higher education, tuition and fees provide a growing proportion of the funds institutions need to carry out their missions and serve students.”

Tuition and fees at Idaho’s public higher education institutions continue to rank among the lowest compared to peer institutions in other states. “Our students need to hear more often that Idaho public colleges and universities provide a great education at a lower cost than almost any other state,” said board member and Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Luna.

The State Board of Education meeting will continue on Thursday, April 18, 2013, at 8:00 a.m. Pacific /9:00 a.m. Mountain time. You can follow the meeting via the web at www.uidaho.edu/newsevents/uidaholive.